[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-gods-foolish-game":3,"chapter-the-gods-foolish-game-the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-27":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Gods' Foolish Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2361155,4617,"Chapter 27: The Reputation of Duke Brooks","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-27",27,"\u003Cp>The Reputation of Duke Brooks\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While speaking in the room just now, Cheng Shi noticed the wounds on the dead dwarf were unusual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They didn’t resemble sharp weapons like daggers commonly used by assassins, but more like blunt-bladed tools.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For example...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi glanced around briefly, then kicked out a bloodstained knife from under a bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Judging by its length and size, it looked like a dwarf’s own weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dwarf battle knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But someone must have been certain no one would stay long here, so the scene was left carelessly untouched—even that term is too generous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t care about these details at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi recalled his conversation with A Ming, scrutinizing the dead dwarves’ bodies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he spotted something odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Based on the positions of the six dwarves and the signs of struggle, it did look like they had attacked the same target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps Fang Shiqing had pulled Cheng Shi away in time, leaving A Ming behind as the unwitting scapegoat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But what puzzled Cheng Shi more was that the wounds on all six bodies varied in force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This didn’t look like one person killing them all—it was more like six different people had killed the dwarves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conveniently, both the killers and the victims numbered six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mutual slaughter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi frowned, wondering if assassins possessed such a talent for controlling others—at least, such a talent was rare among the [Order].\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The scene is chaotic, but not without gains.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi picked up a ring he’d taken from one of the dwarf corpses, squinting at it in the sunlight streaming through the window.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He examined it while murmuring:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exquisite craftsmanship—what artisan could forge such a fine ring? Too bad, it’s mine now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He smiled, slipped the ring into his pocket, then strolled slowly out of the servant’s room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right outside, he met Bai Ling, smiling as if she’d been waiting for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s face darkened; he laughed and scolded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’ve attached yourself to me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling had somehow acquired another dress; she curtsied like a noble lady, giggling:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can I cling to your leg? You don’t mind, do you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You can cling, but don’t touch randomly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big boss, don’t worry—I’m very obedient. Wherever you want me to touch, I’ll touch.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi didn't bother talking to her and walked past without another word.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Good, I can be your attendant in this outfit—any discoveries?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Which attendant walks ahead of their master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling hurried after him, whispering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The manor is huge, and there are many guests. I just knocked out a lady and extracted her husband’s words—Duke Brooks hasn’t shown up at all; only half an hour remains until his announced appearance.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow, silently acknowledging that unruly women were indeed swift at gathering intelligence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He followed Bai Ling swiftly into the manor’s central hall, weaving through the nobles, and soon spotted the others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone had changed into new clothes and was conducting separate investigations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi glanced briefly at the hall, then decisively chose to leave with Bai Ling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Big boss?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The answer isn’t here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Bai Ling gave a soft reply and followed Cheng Shi’s direction elsewhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching her walk ahead silently, Cheng Shi suddenly felt something was missing, so he said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Aren’t you going to ask why?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I just obey—I don’t need to know why. Of course, if you need someone to cheer you on, I can act convincingly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of person is this? So boring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even close to Song Yawen from last time, let alone Chen Chong—he at least gave me a sense of accomplishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But some things are hard to keep inside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The dwarf’s ring is exquisite.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“And?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Noble lords won’t care about a dwarf’s ring.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh, so?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the target isn’t here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So that’s how it is—Big boss, you’re amazing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Just shut up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh.” Bai Ling smiled like a nightingale, drawing glances from nearby guests. “Then, Big Boss, where to now?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was a good question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s original target had been the lower-class folk who regularly dealt with these dwarf refugees, but he suddenly thought—if the dwarves came here because of the duke, perhaps meeting the duke himself would be a better choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pointed toward the stairs, signaling Bai Ling to go up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling’s expression changed; she whispered in surprise:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are guards—we can’t just walk up openly or they’ll stop us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi’s eyes darted; he smirked mischievously:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Use your advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling paused, then understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She lifted her dress and hurried toward the stairs—sure enough, at the stair entrance, armored guards blocked her path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling immediately lowered her head, leaned close, and whispered:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The duke needs me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards’ faces were hidden beneath their helmets, but their tightened grips on their spears betrayed their shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps they were pondering the meaning of the word “needs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing no reaction, Bai Ling extended her hand and made a gesture with her index fingers interlocked in front of her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a vulgar gesture popular in pleasure venues of Star Fall Continent—signifying subservient submission; no lady of any status would make it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, only certain professionals used it to signal their price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards were even more stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They studied Bai Ling’s beautiful face, slender figure, and elegant bearing—yet could not reconcile her with that gesture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I said—the duke needs me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But the duke hasn’t notified us...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are you saying the duke must notify you whenever he has a need?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“?” The guard was momentarily dumbfounded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Right—why should the duke notify me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, what’s wrong with letting a woman in? Doesn’t the duchess often bring men back?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two guards exchanged glances, convinced themselves, and stepped back simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling’s heart leapt; she shot Cheng Shi a glance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi smiled inwardly but kept a respectful demeanor as he followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards still hesitated to let him pass; Bai Ling’s expression turned cold:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Foolish—don’t you know to avoid suspicion? If you let me go up alone, what happens to the duke’s reputation?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You already let her go—does the duke still have a reputation?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guards’ minds overloaded for a moment, then resignedly allowed the little attendant through too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, not because they cared about the duke’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But because they noticed this servant behind her was far too handsome to be a mere attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More like a pet kept by some noble lady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So—does the duke need her, or does the duchess need him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whatever—it’s probably both.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I’m just a guard—why think so much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the guards let them pass, Bai Ling cheerfully led Cheng Shi up the stairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as they vanished onto the second floor, Fang Shiqing and Xu Lu slipped quietly over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, we’d like to request an audience with His Grace the Duke.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing spoke gently and politely, so courteous she didn’t seem like a noble from Brucek Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To request an audience with the Duke?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Duke is probably busy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard refused them without hesitation, his icy attitude unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing’s expression changed; she silently frowned, wondering how Cheng Shi and the others had gotten up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xu Lu shouted in furious embarrassment:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why won’t you let us up? Those two just went up!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard lifted his spear at the words:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No shouting. No one is allowed upstairs to disturb the Duke. No one went up just now. Leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only now did they remember to protect the Duke’s reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the Duke still had a reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let’s go. There are enough of them upstairs.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But that Cheng is a rogue.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fang Shiqing heard this and felt a quiet satisfaction, yet silently thought to herself:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How can you say that with such straight-faced confidence? Is he any worse than you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She held back for Xu Lu’s dignity and simply walked away without speaking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her benefactor leave, Xu Lu quickly followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While Xu Lu was humiliated, Cheng Shi had already reached the Duke’s room on the second floor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But when he pushed open the door and saw the scene inside, his face darkened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the large room, a middle-aged man in lavish robes lay back on the bed, his chest drenched in blood, already dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bai Ling widened her eyes, hand over her mouth in shock: “He’s—!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh! Someone’s coming!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi swiftly pulled Bai Ling into the room, quietly shut the door, and dragged her to hide inside the wardrobe opposite the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wardrobe was small, crammed with all kinds of clothes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi had no choice but to squeeze in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With barely enough space to stand, after Cheng Shi took up most of it, Bai Ling had to crouch at his feet, barely covering herself with the hem of hanging garments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To close the wardrobe door, she had to clutch two supporting objects tightly with both hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sis, ease up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Relax, I’m not groping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, literally hugging a thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Click.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lock turned; footsteps followed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Cheng Shi could clearly identify how many had entered, a furious female voice rang out:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you to knock him out, not kill him! Do you know what consequences this will bring?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A low male voice answered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dilar, believe me—I didn’t kill him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cheng Shi raised an eyebrow, recalling who that name belonged to.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dilar, the Duchess of Brucek, the town’s foremost noblewoman whose rear had been groped by a guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then who was this man?\u003C\u002Fp>",1570,"2026-06-21T06:05:06.137Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","e09ecd21e8256b134f913760f994d484fda982892ba8e03220ee3fd3bd94942a","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-28","the-gods-foolish-game-chapter-26",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-gods-foolish-game-cover.jpg"]